Summer Energy Reduction Measures

June 11, 2013

Western University Colleagues,

Western is taking a strategic approach to reducing energy consumption on
campus this summer. The measures come in direct response to a utility repayment
fee, known as the Global Adjustment (GA) tax that accounts for roughly $7
million of the university’s $16 million electricity bill. By reducing energy on
campus at select times throughout the summer, Western can significantly reduce
its contribution of the GA tax.

GA was created by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) to
recoup the cost of reserve energy that is purchased to protect the province from
blackouts. The IESO applies extra fees to large energy users on days in
which energy is in the greatest demand, known as peak days.

The strategy this year is to reinstate the same measures of tracking peak
days and adjusting energy consumption accordingly. Since demand energy days are
directly associated to outdoor air temperature in Ontario, one key area of
conservation will be temporary and intermittent reduction of air conditioning.
For example, during the peak energy days this summer, Western will be operating
on reduced cooling between the hours of 2-6 p.m.

Last year, Western reduced its contribution applying this initiative,
saving the university roughly $1 million. It is likely that temperature changes
within the buildings won’t be significant and these small increments have big
energy savings.

Beyond what Western is doing, that campus community’s involvement can
impact energy consumption by as much as 15%. Staff and faculty are
encouraged to engage in the following types of initiatives to contribute to our
summer energy strategy and to our sustainability efforts on an ongoing
basis.

Some simple considerations:

Lower blinds to prevent the sun from beaming into a room reducing the amount of work required by air conditioners;

Turn lights off when a room is not in use;

Avoid “phantom power” - unplug electronics/appliances when they are not in use;

Set your computers/laptops to energy saving mode;

Turn off computers, monitors and printers when you leave for the day.

More information can be found on the Facilities Management homepage at http://westernu.ca/fm. For further questions on the cooling initiative, please contact Beverley Ayeni at beverley.ayeni@uwo.ca or extension
86311. I appreciate your cooperation as we work together to enhance Western’s
conservation efforts.